Fast Al's pizza boxes

Brid Hegarty

Before they used to just give you the slice of pizza on a sheet of parchment paper. Now they give you this box that they put it into regardless of whether it's a take away or not. Then before leaving, you're filling about a quarter of the bin space with this cumbersome box. They then can be recycled because their soiled.

It's funny to think that after all this talk about the environment, that not only are we still not doing anything about it, but we're actually getting worse in many ways.

the beer revolu

Make no mistake. As people, we are using more energy and creating more waste, every day.

That is really disappointing re Fast Al's.

Iyer's no longer serve any food on real plates anymore - it's all paper and plastic, now.

notAMember

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058249873/fast-als-pizza-boxes

Have you mentioned it to them?

Brid Hegarty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119195887#Comment_119195887

No, I did think about it the time I was there. But sometimes it's very hard to make someone understand in a "no, I'm not giving out to you" sort of way. I also hate that moment when someone smiles and pretends to understand what you're on about just so they can be rid of you to move on with their business. The cashier there probably wouldn't have had English as a first language.

It is very seldom that I eat junk food like that anyway, so next time might be another decade away!

suds1984

I got a slice in fast al’s earlier today and I just got it on a piece of parchment paper. Just ask them

Brid Hegarty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119197955#Comment_119197955

Well of course. But what if you're preoccupied? as most people are. Or you're a first timer? It is very few people who will specify that.

Well, did you see the boxes I was on about when you were there? And am I to assume you only got it served that way because you requested it?

igCorcaigh

Customers should be offered the choice of a box or paper. Mention it to them on their social media perhaps.

suds1984

No it was first in there in a long time and they actually asked me…. I did have a brief wonder if they’d give me a box I didn’t want but they asked anyway (Oliver plunkett st branch)

dil87

I always just say I'm ok for a box and every time they understand perfectly and give it in a piece of paper, simple.

the beer revolu

The default should be the piece of paper.

Kimbot

The box could be biodegradable like most food box containers are nowadays.

magic_murph

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058249873/fast-als-pizza-boxes

Your first mistake is easting in Fast Al's.

Dial Hard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119209628#Comment_119209628

Pizza boxes can go in the recycling. If the bottom half is very greasy/covered in cheese, you can tear it up and put it in the brown/food waste bin.

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119209628#Comment_119209628

Much better to avoid using it altogether, if not necessary.

Brid Hegarty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119209628#Comment_119209628

You're kind of missing the point:

1. there's a carbon footprint in making it, transporting it

2. it takes up space in land fill... or else there's a carbon footprint in incinerating it

timmyjimmy

Last night outside fast als

IMG-20220623-WA0000.jpg

Brid Hegarty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119207923#Comment_119207923

Well of course they would understand perfectly. But in reality most people are preoccupied about other stuff when at the till. The moment you realise they're putting it in a box, it's too late as it's already touched it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119210232#Comment_119210232

So dont buy it.. the fault is with the customer

igCorcaigh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119209687#Comment_119209687

Ha! I really like Fast Al's. Decent NY style pizza slice, handy for when you just want a bite on the go.

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119250518#Comment_119250518

They used to routinely not use boxes, now they routinely do.

How is that the customers fault?

Brid Hegarty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119250833#Comment_119250833

When did the boxes come in?

Brid Hegarty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119250521#Comment_119250521

How much overweight are you?

MakersMark

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119197946#Comment_119197946

The only people you should have mentioned this to was the seller.

Don't get your logic at all

Brid Hegarty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119251827#Comment_119251827

And you don't seem to want to either! What part of my logic don't you get? Are you saying you'd have mentioned it to the seller? How would you go about it?

I didn't mention it because it could lead to an awkward situation. For example, you say it to them and once you realise they don't understand you, you go to say it again and then next thing you know there's people standing behind you waiting for you to finish so they can order. Then the seller thinks you're giving out to them, so you've got to say "no no, I'm not giving out to you it's just feedback because I care about the environment". Then everyone goes home thinking "there was some weirdo giving out to the poor cashier today about the environment or something".

dil87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119250504#Comment_119250504

Don't follow you at all to be honest. You've said a few times here they would not understand what you are saying yet you also say they would understand perfectly. You're ordering a slice of pizza, how preoccupied are people really going to be standing there as their pizza is being presented in front of them... It's not that deep, if it bothers you so much just ask them not to put it in a box and go about your day 🤷‍♂️

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119252118#Comment_119252118

What's difficult to understand?

Fast Al's used to put pizza slices on pieces of parchment paper as a matter of course. Presumably, if you wanted it in a box, you asked, and got it in a box. The end result was that there was minimal packaging waste.

Now, it seems, they default to putting a single slice in a box. Most customers will take it as it comes and will not ask for it without a box - I would but most won't. The result of this is a shed load of needless packaging waste as evidenced by the pic above.

If you, along with another couple of posters, cannot understand how this is a negative, retrograde move on the part of Fast Al's, then we clearly have an awful long way to go in educating people on waste and sustainability.

I can't believe that this needs to be explained. It's not about what a poster here did or didn't say when ordering a slice. It's about Fast Al's changed packaging policy!

Brid Hegarty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119252118#Comment_119252118

I said that they might not understand what I'm saying in response to the second thread comment... meaning me trying to explain my theory on waste and boxes. However when ordering, if I specified that I wanted it on parchment paper instead, then of course that's easy to understand.

But someone who walks into fast als today for the first time will not anticipate this in the same way you would... they'd just see the pizza slice they want and order it. Only once it would be handed to them would they realise "gee that's actually so wasteful". Even you could be preoccupied; you might be with a friend chatting, or might be thinking about what time a train is due, etc.

dil87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119252260#Comment_119252260

It's a misunderstanding, chill.

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119258533#Comment_119258533

I'd call it a lack of understanding.

Chill, yourself.

Christine Neville

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119258533#Comment_119258533

How about a thank you